*** Updates as of July082011Chieftain Jimmy is no longer the Chieftain of San Martin Cawag Subic Zambales. He was replaced by Chieftain Binggoy. To all mountaineers going to Subic Mountains, kindly proceed to Chieftain Perla for the registration. Chieftain Binggoy and Chieftain Perla are now working hand-in-hand to assist the mountaineers going to Cinco Picos, Rounded Peak, Pointed Peak. There will be a final meeting this weekend. - MikeB (YABAG)

Subic-Zambales Hiking UpdatesBad news for us who likes to frequent the Cawag settlement mountains (Balingkilat, Nagsasa, Cinco Picos and Dayungan) in Zambales. I received a reliable news that the locals (aetas) unjustifiably adjusted their guide rates. The guiding rates is now categorize via destination instead on a daily basis.

Before

300 per day for every 5 persons, no matter which mountain you are heading. Traverse or not to the beaches of zambales.

Now

Mt. Balingkilat dayhike - 600

Mt. Cinco Picos to Dayungan Traverse - 900

Mt. Cinco Picos traverse to Silanguin cove - 900

Mt. Nagsasa traverse to Nagsasa cove - 600 (1 or 2 days)

Mt. Balingkilat traverse to Anawangin cove - 1500

Mt. Dayungan traverse to Nagsasa cove- 900 (1 days or 2 days)

I hope all mountaineers will protest this unjust rate increases. Most of us are already familiar on the trails of these mountains. Paying the guide fee is just our way of helping them and in return the mountains will also be protected. YabagMC are the one who explored these mountains, they are also the one who established this place as a hiking destination. And this new rates are not what they verbally agreed upon. I had been to many climbs and I can say this rates is overpriced. And I will not climb to this place anymore unless they return the rates to what it should be.